Excerpts from an article I recently wrote: Stressing the importance of information integrity is an essential element of any document management or information governance (IG) program. Without integrity, nothing has value, including individuals, businesses and information. Integrity presumes trust, and trust is always earned, never simply granted. Individuals without integrity may lie, cheat or steal, […]

Stressing the importance of information integrity is an essential element of any document management or information governance (IG) program. Without integrity, nothing has value, including individuals, businesses and information. Integrity presumes trust, and trust is always earned, never simply granted. Individuals without integrity may lie, cheat or steal, while businesses without integrity are seen as untrustworthy and their products and services deemed meaningless. Information without integrity may mislead or deceive and cannot be trusted.

Information Stewardship

Several years ago, the concept of information stewardship gained momentum in information technology (IT) circles. This notion requires maintaining information integrity that is protected by policies and rules to prove that the information and data is true and correct. Information stewardship should be the responsibility of everyone in an organization. It encompasses the responsibilities associated with managing, using, storing and sharing information. Companies, healthcare providers or law firms can create an atmosphere of information integrity by emphasizing its importance.

]]>http://www.fileman.com/importance-information-integrity-records-management/feed/1Building an Integrated Information Governance Program for Small to Midsize Businesseshttp://www.fileman.com/building-integrated-information-governance-program-small-midsize-businesses/
http://www.fileman.com/building-integrated-information-governance-program-small-midsize-businesses/#commentsSun, 04 Jan 2015 20:37:36 +0000http://www.fileman.com/?p=1507Thoughts or links from TheFileMan

This is a brief excerpt from an article I wrote: Smaller businesses are lighter on their feet than large enterprises. It is easier to create and demonstrate value to customers and clients if there is a unique and obvious advantage. As products come and go and services become mundane, what can set you apart? If […]

Smaller businesses are lighter on their feet than large enterprises. It is easier to create and demonstrate value to customers and clients if there is a unique and obvious advantage. As products come and go and services become mundane, what can set you apart? If you properly manage sensitive information, information governance can become a marketing tool.

Striving for Excellence

So how does a company become excellent? There are, of course, the obvious choices: customer service, great products or valuable services. However, there are advantages that are not as obvious, such as the safety, security and privacy of consumer information. Forward-thinking owners, chief executive officers and managing partners can craft a plan that identifies marketing advantages that competitors cannot easily match.

Making it a Marketing Advantage

Customers and clients recognize the threat of information theft and privacy issues. A marketing plan should highlight and showcase privacy efforts. Marketing always comes before the sale. While others are showcasing product features, advantages and benefits, your organization can display your commitment to excellence in every aspect of the business relationship.

Here is a quick summary of an article I wrote. Staying informed of what is trending in records management and keeping up-to-date with records and information management is as easy as checking what is “trending” on Google and Twitter. In records and information management, the key trending terms of the moment are “information governance,” “big […]

Staying informed of what is trending in records management and keeping up-to-date with records and information management is as easy as checking what is “trending” on Google and Twitter. In records and information management, the key trending terms of the moment are “information governance,” “big data” and “interoperability.”

As a professional, knowing what others in your industry are discussing is critical for your own development. Networking and talking about current issues and trends keeps you sharp and differentiates you from your peers. Constant learning is a great way to boost your own marketability and your company’s prestige. Trending topics indicate the depth of knowledge that is available today.

To stay on top of your industry knowledge, read blogs on LinkedIn and other services that produce vendor information and white papers.

Another recent article by FileMan Hospitals and clinics consistently have some of the highest floor space costs of any industry. Many providers today continue to maintain inactive, aging patient records onsite. These records are stored in file rooms – often located in prime locations within the health system. Offsite storage does not reduce an […]

Hospitals and clinics consistently have some of the highest floor space costs of any industry.

Many providers today continue to maintain inactive, aging patient records onsite. These records are stored in file rooms – often located in prime locations within the health system.

Offsite storage does not reduce an organization’s ability to access the information, as this information is indexed and retrievable when requested.

Healthcare providers also benefit from repurposing onsite file room storage through the generation of service revenue or increased patient health services such as additional diagnostic or testing spaces. By repurposing the space for a new imaging service or patient treatment room, revenue potential is increased.

Commercial records management has turned a major corner in its history. Although there are still hundreds of millions of boxes in storage worldwide, growth is minimal. Iron Mountain has taken the ultimate step in their long term plan. They have become a REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust). This will allow them to take a much […]

Commercial records management has turned a major corner in its history. Although there are still hundreds of millions of boxes in storage worldwide, growth is minimal. Iron Mountain has taken the ultimate step in their long term plan. They have become a REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust). This will allow them to take a much higher rate of profits. Milking the cash cow until it runs out of Milk (cash).

The following is an excerpt from Morningstar. To read the whole article you will need to join, but that is Free. It is a well written article and I believe worth your time to read.

“Boxes have been the basis of Iron Mountain‘s (IRM) cash flow annuity for the better part of six decades, allowing investors the chance to participate in the growth of a stable recurring revenue stream. However, the company’s successful pursuit of real estate investment trust status sent a strong signal to the market that earnings reinvestment opportunities are limited and the time had come to milk the cash cow. In the context of a digital world, it is easy to conclude that Iron Mountain’s paper-based empire reached its peak long ago. Nevertheless, we don’t expect this mountain to erode overnight. Even as a REIT, Iron Mountain’s ability to produce rental income is predicated on preserving a stable base of stored boxes as it repositions itself for the realities of a changing business model. Although we acknowledge the competitive difficulties of an industry in secular decline, we believe Iron Mountain’s scale-driven cost advantage backs a narrow economic moat that protects long-term value generation for shareholders.”

Here is a link to another of the articles written by FileMan for Iron Mountain’s publication. Remember the reasons for records management: regulatory adherence, litigation avoidance, best business practices with internal controls, stakeholder safety and indemnity. Internal Control in Records Management “Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” Just as Dorothy warns of danger while […]

Here is a link to another of the articles written by FileMan for Iron Mountain’s publication.

Remember the reasons for records management: regulatory adherence, litigation avoidance, best business practices with internal controls, stakeholder safety and indemnity.

Internal Control in Records Management

“Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” Just as Dorothy warns of danger while crossing through the enchanted forest in “The Wizard of Oz,” it is our responsibility to remember to stay on our own Yellow Brick Road. Yes, there is a path to follow as clear-cut as that fabled route. We must begin by remembering why we keep and safeguard records. Records management presumes protection. The path is obvious and includes:

Another FileMan article published elsewhere: The question of how to manage medical, financial or business records after mergers and acquisitions is fraught with challenges. Records are rarely viewed as crucial in any healthcare buyout transaction since financial issues and increased market share are top of mind. Records are relegated to organizations’ basements until they are […]

The question of how to manage medical, financial or business records after mergers and acquisitions is fraught with challenges. Records are rarely viewed as crucial in any healthcare buyout transaction since financial issues and increased market share are top of mind. Records are relegated to organizations’ basements until they are suddenly thrust up to the importance of the boardroom overnight.

Another ‘oldie’ from my archives: …. The conundrum used to be, Is structured data better than unstructured data? On one hand, structured data easily support clinical decision making, data comparability and data mining. On the other hand, structured data require carefully constructed templates, a controlled vocabulary and a significant degree of change to which users […]

The conundrum used to be, Is structured data better than unstructured data? On one hand, structured data easily support clinical decision making, data comparability and data mining. On the other hand, structured data require carefully constructed templates, a controlled vocabulary and a significant degree of change to which users must adapt. Alternatively, unstructured data are more familiar and “richer” in context. Unstructured data in an electronic environment sometimes involve only scanned documents, as may have been suggested in “To Scan, or Not to Scan.” However, many other forms of unstructured data must be managed and are highly valuable as part of the electronic health record.

Another of my short articles recently published is about the level of management that is needed to properly manage or ‘govern’ a company’s information. The development of document management governance in an organization requires a C-level champion. Before you knock on his or her door, there are things that you will need to do. Getting […]

Another of my short articles recently published is about the level of management that is needed to properly manage or ‘govern’ a company’s information.

The development of document management governance in an organization requires a C-level champion. Before you knock on his or her door, there are things that you will need to do. Getting the attention of a senior manager is difficult, but if you follow your plan, you can be successful.

While it does not show my by-line, an article I wrote on document integrity was recently published. Maintaining document integrity is a challenge for healthcare professionals. It is not just an IT function. Ensuring that documents, information and data content is accurate, reliable, up-to-date, consistent and “fit for use” is essential to the healthcare profession. […]

While it does not show my by-line, an article I wrote on document integrity was recently published.

Maintaining document integrity is a challenge for healthcare professionals. It is not just an IT function. Ensuring that documents, information and data content is accurate, reliable, up-to-date, consistent and “fit for use” is essential to the healthcare profession.